Why better windows are the key to going green
By WP BrandStudio
Nearly 90% of people want to live a more sustainable lifestyle. Properly-installed windows help them do just that.
This article is the second installment of “Windows 101,” a series of stories from Window Nation and WP BrandStudio that demystifies homeowners’ biggest questions about window repair.
There is a secret culprit widening the average person’s carbon footprint and causing them to use more energy than they need, without them even realizing it. And it’s their windows.
About one-third of residential energy use occurs due to heat escaping from or entering through windows, which leads people to crank up their thermostats or air conditioners and use more electricity. Energy loss from residential buildings, commercial real estate and industrial operations account for 40% of all energy consumption in the U.S. and most of it relies on ecologically-damaging fossil fuels.
At the same time, 87% of people want to live a more sustainable lifestyle—and for them, getting a better set of windows in their homes can help them reduce their energy consumption.
“If you don’t put a good-quality window in, you’re going to suffer loss of energy,” said Sandy Adomatis, a residential real estate appraiser who specializes in green properties.
People have already started to think about how their homes can help them be more environmentally safe. In 2019, almost 60% of realtors reported that homeowners were interested in sustainability and 68% of buyers reported wanting an eco-friendly home. This trend has persisted in 2020, and will likely continue into 2021 and beyond—with good windows remaining a crucial way to make a home more energy-efficient.
Why homeowners want to shrink their carbon footprints
As people have become more aware of their own impact on the environment, it’s become more common for them to look for ways to make their homes more eco-friendly. Aaron Magden, president and co-founder of window installation brand Window Nation, noted that customers’ desire for environmentally-conscious window options has become “a steady and consistent trend.”
“More and more people are asking for green homes and new construction is going that way, so it’s not just a fad,” Adomatis said.
Another key draw to sustainable homes is the financial benefit they offer. Nearly half of homebuyers said they’d pay extra for a home with money-saving, eco-friendly features. A typical U.S. household spends $2,000 per year on energy bills and cost-conscious homeowners can save about 30% of that by making environmentally-safe updates.
They don’t necessarily have to be expensive upgrades, either. According to Magden, window technology is constantly improving. Swapping out old windows for more modern ones can leave homeowners with more money in their pockets at the end of the year.
Comfort is also a desirable quality of energy-efficient homes, according to Adomatis. Her clients are drawn to the prospect of having better indoor air quality and more livable temperatures that are consistent throughout a home. Poor windows can make it hard for homeowners to regulate temperature, which is often different from one room to the next.
Even in places with extreme weather, like Fargo, N.D., where Adomatis has guided appraisers and real estate agents through green homes, well-chosen and properly installed windows can maintain consistent temperatures throughout a property. But when windows aren’t installed correctly, she said, homeowners are not going to get the level of comfort that they’re looking for. And that’s not an ideal situation for anyone.
“You [should be able to] stand in front of your picture window without having a jacket on,” Adomatis said.
Making the most of energy-efficient windows
In order for a window to trap in energy and reduce waste, it needs to meet a handful of key qualifications. At the top of this list is making sure it’s installed properly.
It seems like a no-brainer, but poorly installed windows are more common than one might think. A quarter of Window Nation’s business comes from reinstalling windows that weren’t put in right the first time, according to Magden. These improperly-installed windows can become a headache for homeowners. They sometimes result in building code violations; gaps and cracks around the frame that allow air or water to leak in and damage a home’s structure; and re-installations, which are necessary but costly.
To ensure that they install windows correctly every time, Window Nation collaborates with local window manufacturers, and they hire professional installers who are trained and certified by those manufacturers. Carefully chosen insulation, caulking and LEED-certified sealants also help ensure that their installations last.
Professionals at Window Nation can also help customers when it comes to selecting the best energy-efficient windows for their homes. Magden recommends working with one of his company’s design consultants, who will consider the layout and construction of a home before suggesting products.
In regions that experience intense direct sunlight or extreme climates, for example, triple-pane window systems can help regulate a home’s temperature. In these systems, a specialized window coating blocks up to 90% of the sun’s ultraviolet rays, which wards off solar heat and reduces the need to turn up an air conditioner. Argon gas between the panes can also help prevent heat from escaping or entering the home. Even “just upgrading from standard single-pane to double-pane glass can yield significant savings on home energy costs,” Magden said.
If a homeowner isn’t ready to relocate to a place that’s designed to be energy-efficient, or if they can’t replace every single window in their house, there are still ways they can make their spaces more sustainable, said Adomatis. She advises homeowners to consider whether they need the same quality of windows on all sides of their house, for example, or if they can “switch up the quality [of window] that they choose” depending on how much sun reaches different parts of the house.
A home energy audit can also provide valuable insights, such as costs versus payback, or what to tackle first, like adding weather strips to doors and windows, according to Adomatis.
The desire for these kinds of windows and energy-efficient improvements will only increase in years to come, said Magden. Window Nation has already seen an uptick in requests for energy-efficient windows as “more homeowners learn about the technology and realize how much they can save each year,” he added. And he doesn’t expect that to slow down any time soon.
“It makes sense to upgrade to higher-quality windows for function, curb appeal and to save some money where it counts,” Magden said.
Learn more about scheduling a virtual quote with Window Nation
https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/design/windows-doors-and-skylights/update-or-replace-windows
https://www.epa.gov/energy/learn-about-energy-and-its-impact-environment
https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/electricity/electricity-in-the-us.php
https://www.hsh.com/first-time-homebuyer/top-green-home-features-buyers-want.html
https://www.energystar.gov/about/about_energy_efficiency#:~:text=Energy%2DEfficient%20Products
